Later that night…

  KiAera padded back into the main hall of the Crystal Shelter. Everything had been cleaned up and tidied up with Tailza dusting the remnants of crystal crumbs, but what surprised her was the appearance of Mina scowling, but washing plates over the sink.

  The sight made KiAera stifle a giggle as she watched the Minokaurbo struggle to wash a plate. The monster grumbled and cursed under her breath as she scrubbed at the stubborn bits of food stuck to the bottom. It made her wonder if Tailza had convinced her to help with the cleaning—a surprise for sure.

  Tailza glanced over her shoulder at the sound of footsteps, and a wide smile spread across her face. "Miss K-KiAera! You're back!"

  KiAera smiled and gave the Kobolbo girl a quick hug. "I'm back. How was everything here while I was gone?"

  Tailza grinned sheepishly, glancing at Mina. "Well, it was a little hectic, but we managed! I had some help."

  Mina looked down from her task, her expression darkening slightly at the sight of KiAera. "It was nothing."

  KiAera studied her, trying to gauge the Minokaurbo's intentions. "Tailza says you helped her clean up. I didn't think you'd be the type to help with chores."

  Mina snorted and turned away. "Just felt like it. Don't read too much into it, bunny."

  KiAera frowned, but her gaze softened slightly as she took in Tailza's hopeful expression. She decided to let it go for now and turned to Tailza. "Thank you for taking care of the place while I was gone. I really appreciate it."

  Tailza beamed. "I-It was nothing! I'm just happy to be here with you guys. It feels like… home, you know? Even with Mina grumbling and complaining all the time."

  Mina bristled. "Oi, don't drag me into this! I told you, I was only helping out because I felt like it."

  Tailza stuck her tongue out at the Minokaurbo. "You didn't have to do it, but you did. And I'm grateful, even if you are a big grump."

  Mina huffed and returned to her task, but KiAera caught a hint of a smile on her lips. Maybe there was more to this rough, intimidating oni than she had thought.

  KiAera patted Tailza's head and smiled. "It's good to see you two getting along."

  "It's not like we're friends or anything," Mina muttered without looking up.

  KiAera sniffled a smile, but she crinkled her nose when a foul scent caught her nose. Her gaze lingered on Mina who—now she had a better look at her—was covered in dirt and grime. She looked like she hadn't bathed in weeks. "And please, take a bath."

  "Bath?"

  "That's what we do here in the crystal shelter, Mina," Tailza chimed in with a giggle.

  "I stink that bad?" Mina paused and took a whiff of her armpit before sneering. "It's only must and sweat. I'm used to it."

  "You're used to it? That's gross." KiAera shook her head. "Come on, I'll show you where we can clean up."

  Mina frowned but followed KiAera into another section of the shelter where a large bath was waiting for them. The space was surprisingly spacious, with natural crystal formations creating the illusion of walls and a high ceiling.

  KiAera pointed to a shower head, then to a bathtub, only to spot Mina with a bewildered expression as if she had never seen such things. KiAera chuckled softly. "We use these to clean ourselves, Mina. It's actually pretty easy."

  The Minokaurbo crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed. "I know what a bath is, bunny. But what are these things? Some kind of weapon?"

  "No, they're just shower heads. And that's a bathtub." KiAera gestured to the tub, which was filled with steaming water. "You just use them to get clean."

  Mina looked skeptical, but she approached the shower head, examining it curiously. "This is how you wash?"

  KiAera nodded. "Yeah. See that dial? You just turn it to change the temperature of the water."

  Mina did as she said, and the Minokaurbo let out a surprised yelp as water began to spray from the shower head. She stepped back, nearly falling over before KiAera caught her arm.

  "It's just water, Mina. It's safe." KiAera smirked slightly, her amusement growing at Mina's reaction. "See, you can even use it to wash your hair."

  "The hell's wrong with my hair?"

  KiAera chuckled. "It's a little dirty. Here, let me show you."

  She reached out and turned the dial, adjusting the temperature until the water was pleasantly warm. Then she stepped behind Mina, reaching up to gently massage her scalp. "Just relax and let the water do its job. It'll feel good, I promise."

  Mina stiffened at the contact but slowly began to relax as the water cascaded down her dark locks. "It does feel… nice."

  KiAera smiled and continued to wash Mina's hair, taking care not to be too rough. The Minokaurbo's muscles were tense under her touch, and she could feel the strength hidden beneath the warrior's skin. But for now, she seemed content to let KiAera wash her hair.

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  After a few minutes, KiAera stepped back and turned off the water. "All done. Feeling better?"

  Mina hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. It felt… weird, but not bad." Her gaze dropped to the bathtub, her expression unreadable.

  KiAera's averted her gaze, glad that Mina was facing away from her. She cleared her throat. "Right. Well, go ahead and take a bath."

  Mina nodded and unwrapped her bandages. "Once we're done here, I'll ask Tailza and Sapshorla to make you some new clothes."

  "Clothes?"

  "Yeah, you know—things to wear around the shelter."

  Mina scoffed. "I don't need clothes. But if you insist, I won't complain. Maybe it will make you less tense."

  KiAera shook her head as she realized that she had been staring. "I'm not tense. You're just… different from what I expected." She proceeded to think to herself, 'It's been a while since I seen the human form. Maybe I can get her to wear different outfits…'

  The Minokaurbo slipped into the bathtub, sinking down until only her head was visible above the water. "So, what are you planning to do with me?"

  KiAera hesitated, unsure how to respond. "What do you mean?"

  "You heard me. I'm not here to fight, or anything like that. So, what are you going to do with me? Can't do much without bringing you back to Jalkra."

  KiAera sighed and sat on the edge of the tub. "I don't know. I haven't figured that out yet. But I'm not going to hurt you, if that's what you're worried about."

  Mina snorted. "I'm not worried about anything. I just don't see why you'd let me stay here when I used to be your enemy. Damn this feels good." The Minokaurbo tilted her head back with a long sigh.

  KiAera chuckled softly. "Well, I wouldn't call you my enemy anymore. And you helped Tailza. That counts for something in my book. Besides, if you try anything, I'll kick your ass again."

  Mina glanced up at her with an amused smirk. "You got lucky. Next time, it won't be so easy. But I guess I can respect your strength, bunny."

  "My name's KiAera, not 'bunny.' And I'm not going to let you take another bath without cleaning yourself thoroughly first." KiAera grabbed a washcloth and started to scrub the dirt and grime off the Minokaurbo's frame.

  Mina growled but relented, allowing KiAera to wash her. The Minokaurbo was surprisingly obedient, even relaxing under KiAera's touch as she cleaned her.

  After a few minutes of silence, Mina spoke up again. "Thanks… for not turning me away. I know you have every right to hate me after everything that's happened."

  KiAera frowned. "About Boggorc…"

  Mina's expression became unreadable. "He kept me in check. That's all to our relationship. I respected his power."

  KiAera studied her carefully. "Then why did you leave Jalkra?"

  The Minokaurbo stared down at the water, her eyes glazed over. "Because I was tired. Tired of being used. Tired of following orders. I thought I could change things, but I was wrong. And now I'm here, taking a bath in your weirdshelter." She shook her head. "Jalkra was wrong to send me after you. I don't deserve your mercy."

  "But you have it," KiAera said firmly, reaching out and squeezing the Minokaurbo's shoulder. "And maybe things will work out. If you want to stay here, you're welcome to."

  "You're able to give names. I want one."

  KiAera tilted her head. "A name?"

  "Yeah. I'm sick of being called a Minokaurbo. Give me a real name, like the one you gave that oversized Osseod. If I'm gonna be stuck here, I might as well have a name."

  "You mean Oath Osseod? The big one's name is Oath, okay."

  'So, she was conscious when I gave Oath its [Faux Nym].'

  KiAera gave the naming a considerable thought for a moment. "Hmm… what about 'Mina?'"

  The Minokaurbo wrinkled her nose. "That's the nickname I gave myself."

  "It is?" KiAera suppressed a giggle. "Well, we can't have that. What about 'Minako?' It means 'beautiful' in Japanese."

  Mina's face reddened slightly. "Are you saying I'm beautiful?"

  "Not as much as Amber, but you're not ugly."

  "Hey!" Mina splashed water at KiAera, causing her to giggle and flinch from the cold spray.

  "I'll take that as a yes. Welcome to the team, Minako."

  The Minokaurbo frowned. "You have to say it like you mean it. Jalkra always refused to give me a proper name like the others. He said it was beneath him."

  KiAera's expression hardened, and it piqued her curiosity. Would it work? She pressed her paw against the Minokaurbo's back. "Minako." She spoke her new name with confidence, emphasizing each syllable. "You shall be known as Minako, a name that reflects a new beginning, one that embodies the strength and wisdom to forge your own path. Welcome to the team." The Chimera's Mark on her forehead flared to life, illuminating the bathroom with kaleidoscopic lights.

  The Minokaurbo's—or rather, Minako's—eyes widened, and she looked away, her face burning with embarrassment. "That's better. You actually sounded like you meant it this time. Thanks, I guess."

  KiAera smiled warmly. "It's my pleasure, Mina."

  The Minokaurbo sighed and leaned back against the bathtub. "This is weird. But I guess I don't mind it. Might as well enjoy the hot water while I can."

  KiAera chuckled softly. Her eyes narrowed as she scrutinized the sight of the scars on Mina's skin. They were sizzling and vanishing before her eyes. She had seen this happen once before when she had named Oath Osseod. She had been too distracted to give it any thought back then, but now she couldn't help but wonder if there was a connection.

  "Mina. You mentioned that Jalkra refused to name you. Can you elaborate on that? Boggorc, your comrade, had one—a 'False Name'."

  Mina hummed for a moment. "Yeah. He called it a 'Faux Name.' We were all given names at some point. Boggorc, the Boarbogrunt. Jalkra, the Minokaurbo. But Minokaurbo is just what we were called. Not names. We could earn our names after showing our worth."

  "I see." KiAera nodded. "I think I understand now. But you specifically, why did Jalkra refuse to give you a name?"

  Mina grimaced slightly. "Mina was never good enough for him. Too weak, too soft. He wanted a warrior, not a brat. I tried, but I never measured up to his standards. It's why I got sent out to do most of the grunt work. I didn't mind it. But I was never good enough for him."

  KiAera frowned. "He sounds like a jerk. I'm sorry you had to deal with him. But you're free of him now. And you're not weak or soft. You're strong, and you have a good heart. Even if you try to hide it behind a tough-guy attitude."

  Mina huffed, but her expression softened slightly. "You really believe that?"

  "Of course," KiAera said without hesitation. She decided to change the subject. "You know... starting today, you're going to switch from wearing a loincloth to wearing 'proper' underwear. We can't have you going commando anymore."

  "What's the difference? They cover the same parts." Mina rolled her eyes.

  "But they will look so much better," KiAera protested. "C'mon, Mina! Just trust me on this. I promise it'll be worth it."

  Mina groaned. "Why do you care so much about clothes, critter? You're covered in fur!" She stood up from the bathtub. "See? It's all the same!"

  KiAera felt her ears grow warm. "Minako the Minokaurbo! You can't just stand there like that!"

  "Why not?" Mina laughed. "Are you embarrassed? I don't see what the problem is."

  "That's not the point!" KiAera protested. "It's indecent!"

  Mina smirked. "Indecent, huh? You're a weird little monster, bunny. But whatever. If it makes you happy, I'll wear your stupid clothes."

  KiAera breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. Tailza and Sapshorla will be here any minute with your new clothes. I'll leave you to get dressed. Meet us in the main hall when you're done."

  With that, she turned and left the bathroom.